Thursday, February 28, 2013

Tommee Tippee has been a part of our home for awhile now. My daughter was a toddler when their line came to Target. So we are very familiar with the cups, bibs, and other feeding accessories for older babies. But when our little one arrived we found ourselves in a new world that we had never been in before in terms of feeding.

My little guy had a lot of trouble latching on and dropped quite a bit of weight early on. So I began pumping so we could know exactly how much he was eating. Shortly after we started pumping he also started to develop symptoms of reflux. I felt so incredibly helpless because I couldn't get my baby to latch on and he was spitting up, arching his back, and feeling so uncomfortable after every feeding.

The doctor was working with us on some strategies to help his reflux before deciding if we needed to turn to medication. We were doing more tummy time, feeding smaller bottles more often, and spending a lot of time holding him upright. Then I decided to change the type of bottle we were using.

We switched to the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles and I truely believe that they have helped with my son's comfort while feeding. The first thing I noticed was that the nipple of the bottle was actually larger and filling more of his mouth. He used to have a gap between his mouth and the nipple and was taking in a lot of air. This bottle looked so much better in terms of fitting his mouth. The bottle is also designed with an anti-gas valve, which our previous bottle did not have.

We have been using the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles exclusively ever since and we are still very happy with them. They are made up of 4 simple parts that are easy to clean, and they are BPA and Phthalate free. The only complaint I have is that the Hygene Cap can be tough to get off the bottle sometimes, especially of your hands are a little wet. But with how happy I am with the bottles this would not stop me from using them!

I would highly recommend these bottles to any new mom. I thinkthey are great because of their design to be more like the breast and their anti colic/anti gas valve. They are easy to clean, easy to read the number of ounces, and overall a great bottle!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

As my faithful readers know, we have several Joovy products in our home. They offer a great variety of products for babies and kids from strollers to high chairs to baby slings and more.

We have their high chair, the Nook, which we used with my daughter and will be using with my son. Their stuff is built to last and is great quality! We also have their baby carrier, TheBabaSling, which has been a life saver around the house with two kids. My son loves to be held, so I put him in TheBabaSling and I can move around the house and take care of my older daughter.

So I had high expectations when I was given the opportunity to review their new frame stroller, the Joovy Roo Infant Car Seat Frame Stroller. I hadn't even thought about a frame stroller when we had my daughter and we never really missed it. But this time around the idea of a light weight, more compact stroller was so appealing as I was now juggling two kids. My husband and I were both so excited to give the Roo a try that he texted me upon it's arrival with a picture of it in the box and the caption, "A Roo for you!"

The Roo is designed a little differently then what you might expect. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is that it has a side mount, which means your car seat goes in facing sideways. At first I didn't know how I felt about it or if it even really mattered to me. Then we used the Roo in a restaurant and realized how fabulous and convenient it was to be able to just push the stroller up to the table and have full access to my son. I was able to interact with him and see him the whole time.

The other thing you may notice is how low the cupholders are. First of all.. cupholders... a must. I very rarely go anywhere with my stroller without a bottle of water or cup of coffee. But it never even occured to me that the beverages really should be below the child. Especially coffee! How did I not think of that before? Joovy really thought of everything with this design.

This stroller has made a huge difference in our lives and how I get out and about with my kids. It is easy to open and close with one hand which is crucial when juggling two kids in parking lots, folds up compactly which saves me room in my trunk, has a great basket underneath with lots of space, and maneuvers like a dream. We couldn't be happire with the Roo and we are really going places with it!

The Joovy Roo is compatible with current Graco, Chico and Peg Perego infant car seats. You can learn more about the Roo and other products by visiting Joovy's website or connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tiny Love offers a wide variety of products from their 3-in-1 napper to activity mats to mobiles and more. I had been hearing really wonderful things about the company and their products, so I was anxious to check them out in person. This was a company that I had no experience with, so when they offered to send me their Pack & Go Mini Mobile I was excited

This mobile is designed for children age 0 - 12 months and provides stimulation for baby's senses and curiosity. It is designed with basic colors and patterns to attract baby's attention and has a bell shaped wind chime that makes pleasant sounds in response to touch, making it motivating and entertaining. And it folds up completely, making it perfect for taking on the go.

I think this is a great product. My son is only 2 months old and he is already engaging in activity with this mobile. When I make the bell chime he looks at it. And is beginning to show signs of trying to reach for it. I think this is a mobile that will grow with him. And I love how portable it is. It folds up so small we can just toss it in the diaper bag.

This mobile is fun and functional and available at a very affordable price of only $14.99. You can learn more about it and all of the other products available from Tiny Love on their website.

Monday, February 25, 2013

One of the toughest parts of having a winter baby is trying to keep him as healthy as possible. Luckily we have been pretty successful so far. The only thing we have had to deal with is some nasal congestion, which we feel is due to the dry air of our closed up house with the heat on.

I love that these products are drug-free and designed specifically for babies. This is just what we were looking for. Our son had just enough congestion that it was becoming difficult for him to breath comfortably and tough for him to take his bottle at night. So when that was the case we would use the nasal swabs to help break up any of the crusty boogers inside his nose and make him more comfortable. During the day we would dab a tiny bit of the nasal moisturizer on his nostrils and he seemed much more comfortable.

I truly think these two products helped to make my little guy more comfortable. These products are also helpful with colds, allergies, and sinusitis. You can learn more by visiting the Arm & Hammer website.

I am so excited to celebrate the recent birth of my son with a fabulous event, the Welcome Baby Event! This week I will be sharing with you some fantastic, must-have products for the tiniest members of your family. It will be lots of fun, so be sure to keep your eyes open for the newest posts.

And a special thank you to all of the wonderful companies that worked with me for this event!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Ok moms, I have a really exciting opportunity to tell you about. If you love style and fashion then you need to head over to BeachMint to learn about all the opportunities they have to offer you in terms of shopping or becoming a style consultant. They have six properties to offer with selections from clothing to shoes to skincare and more.

I was lucky enough to get an up close and personal look at the property JewelMint, and their new program, MintStyle.This site offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase fashionable pieces of jewelry at affordable prices. But right now they are also offering another fabulous opportunity. They are looking for Style Consultants to grow their business through in-home trunkshows as well as online while taking a commission of all sales they make. To start, each style consultant can purchase a Style Consultant Starter Kit providing the following:

This is a fantastic opportunity to make some money while being up on the latest fashions in jewelry. I can't think of a more enjoyable way to make money then by having jewelry parties! And I can attest to the fact that the jewelry is fabulous. I was sent two pieces to check out and I am already a big fan.

The jewelry comes packaged up so beautifully. You know you are getting something special.

Check out the pieces I received:

I would highly recommend you head on over to MintStyle and check out all they have to offer.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

I don't know about you, but I am tired of winter! I am ready for the blue skies, warm breezes, and sandy beaches. Since all of those things are still slightly out of reach I am excited to share with you a great way to bring the tropics into your home and feel like you're on vacation... even if it's just during breakfast.

With 50 million smiles and counting, Honey Bunches of Oats is introducing a new way to smile. Crispy mango flakes combine with real coconut shavings and coconut flavored granola clusters in NEW Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends.- 10g Whole Grain-120 Calories-6g Sugar- 9 Essential Vitamins and Minerals including 60% Daily Value of iron-4 Wholesome Grains- Heart Healthy (0g Trans Fat, 0.5g Saturated Fat, 0mg Cholesterol)-WIC Eligible
My family was lucky enough to have the opportunity to send out mouths on mini vacations to the tropics with this new cereal. We had a mixed audience going into it... my husband like coconut, my daughter doesn't know what it is, and I usually don't care for coconut. So we all sat down to give it a try and we were pleased to see three smiles around the table. My husband and I both enjoyed the flavor combination. We both agreed that the coconut flavor is the more prominent. It really does stand out more than the mango. I was a little surprised that I enjoyed the cereal due to that fact. I think the combination of the texture of the cereal, the addition of the milk, and the other flavors really helped me in enjoy the coconut more than when it is really the only flavor.

My daughter always eats her cereal dry, so she kept digging for the coconut flavored granola clusters. That was definitely her favorite part! But we all agreed that it was a nice break from our usual cereals and briefly took us away to someplace warm and tropical!

You can really be taken away to someplace warm and tropical with the Tropical Trio 2013 Sweepstakes! Click HERE to enter for your chance to win a tropical vacation to Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

With enduring odor protection that lasts for 72 hours and Pulse Activated Wetness Protection, NEW Dry Idea AdvancedDry Fresh brand antiperspirant and deodorant keeps you feeling clean and confident all day long. It is also formulated with Vitamin E for silky smooth application.

As the authority on dryness, Dry Idea brand guarantees to Never Let Them See You Sweat with their fabulous line of antiperspirant and deodorant products, now including Dry Idea AdvancedDry Fresh brand.

These deodorants are available in AEROSOL, Roll-On, and Clear Gel. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to put the Roll-On to the test.

Being the mom of two little ones, I am always on the run. Whether I am lugging my newborn around in his carrier or chasing after my three year old, I am sweating the day away. And then add to that the stress of being a busy mom, and my deodorant has quite the job to do. I was very pleased with this Roll-On. I don't usually use Roll-On deodorant, but I liked how dry it felt. I imagined it would feel wet at first, but it really didn't. It dried very quickly and wasn't even noticeable throughout the day. I was happy with how dry I stayed and how fresh I smelled at the end of the day.

This is definitely a product I would use again and feel comfortable recommending to my friends, family, and readers. And click HERE to enter the Dry Idea AdvancedDry Sweepstakes! One lucky winner will win $500 and 10 others will win $50. Good luck!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Kidfresh provides families like yours with the best all-natural, nutritious and easy-to-serve kids meals available in the freezer sections of the leading grocery stores and super markets in the United States. Our meals have 100% natural ingredients and key nutrients for growing children - all ready in 4 minutes. Each meal comes high in protein and vitamins, contains low sodium -- all for under 400 calories.

Our meals also have hidden (and not-so-hidden) veggies in every meal! Some of our meals offer up to 33% of a child's daily vegetable requirement- the USDA recommends children 4- to 8-years old eat at least 1 1/2 cups of vegetables per day. Here's a list of veggies you can find in some of our meals: Carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, celery, butternut squash, corn and peas.

And to reduce our carbon footprint, our packaging is BPA- and Phthalate-Free so you can use them safely in your home. Also, we use sustainable, 100% recyclable packaging and our boxes are made from 100% recycled cardboard.

My Thoughts:
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to try out some of the Kidfresh meals with my daughter. I headed to my local grocery store and found a selection of 3 of their meals: Wagon Wheels Mac and Cheese, Muy Cheesy Quesadillas, and Totally Twisted Pasta and Meatballs. All three sounded like things my daughter would like and I was excited to put them to the test. You see... if there is one thing my daughter won't eat it's vegetables. I have to sneak them into her diet however I can. It takes a lot of time, thought and preparation to get those veggies in. So this would make my life easier by providing a quick and nutritious meal.

My daughter seemed to like all three meal choices bu declared the Wagon Wheels Mac and Cheese her favorite! I tasted them and agree that they are yummy! I love how easy and convenient these meals are. Having them on hand in the freezer allows me to provide a meal I feel confident in when I don't have a lot of time in my schedule.

I would definitely recommend you look for these at your local grocery store and give them a try!

Bonus features include a Sing-Along and a Party Activity Kit. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - Pinkie Pie Party is priced at $14.97 SRP and is available exclusively at Walmart.

The My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic series is currently airing on The HUB TV Network.

My Thoughts:

My daughter and I love to watch the My Little Pony:Friendship is Magic series together. I dug up my old ponies from when I was kid in the 80's and she takes out her more modern ponies from today. I love that this is a show that I grew up watching and now she is having that opportunity. Things about the ponies have changed. The animation is different... more modern looking. But the stories and messages are the same. The ponies are friends and they have each others backs no matter what. They have arguments, they have challenges... but in the end they work together and work it out. They are filled with good messages for children learning how to interact with other children as friends.

This particular DVD is filled with 5 fun episodes and lasts about 110 minutes. It's perfect because we can watch an episode or two and then come back for more. It's time together when we can just relax and enjoy a show together. I like to talk to her throughout about how the ponies are acting, what they are doing right or what they could be doing better. It's a great learning experience and bonding time for us. And she LOVED the Sing-Along bonus feature! And then we can continue the fun with our toy ponies and imaginary play.

I would definitely recommend you check out this fun DVD. It would make a great Valentine's Day present for your little one!

Monday, February 11, 2013

THE YUCKIEST, STINKIEST, BEST VALENTINE EVER by Brenda Ferber, illustrated by Tedd Arnold (Dial, Dec 2012) is a picture book for kids ages 3 and up. In this story, Leon has a crush. A let-her-cut-in-line-at-the-water-fountain kind of crush. And he's got the perfect valentine. But this valentine has no intention of getting caught up in any romantic conspiracy. "Love is yucky, kid! Valentine's Day is all about CANDY!" the card yells at Leon, before leaping out the window and running away, leaving Leon to chase it across town, collecting interested kids along the way.

My Thoughts:

This book is adorable and clever. The illustrations are done in such a fun way that you really get into the feeling of chasing this crazy little valentine all over town and meeting new people in different scenes. The story rings true to kids and their reactions to valentines. The boys are with the valentine that it should be all about the candy. But the girls think it's oh so sweet for Leon to be in love.

The ending of this story was unpredictable and sweet. It gives Valentine's Day a good name and is a great story to share with boys and girls. My daughter really enjoyed this story!

Be sure to visit Brenda Ferber's website to learn more and find a fun activity kit to download this Valentine's Day!

Red Envelope describes themselves as providing unique and personalized gifts. I couldn't agree with them more! I often find myself browsing their fabulous selection of gifts when I am looking for just the right gift for a special person.

One thing that I truly appreciate about Red Envelope's website is how they have organized it in such a user friendly way. You can search by holiday, or you can search for specific people in your life... like babies and kids or husbands. It saves you lots of time by directing you to gift ideas that are popular amongst those groups of people. You can also search by a special occassion, such as a housewarming or an anniversary.

The gift selection is a great size. You don't feel overwhelmed by the number of options offered, but there is truely something for everyone. The variety and versatility of the products allows you to pin point something to match a person's personalty or interests. Not to mention that their other brands include ProFlowers, ProPlants, Personal Creations, Cherry Moon Farms, and Shari's Berries. So you will never be at a loss for a great gift idea.

For this review I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to order something from Red Envelope to share my experience and thoughts with my readers. I had a lot of fun browsing the different categories and thinking about who in my life would love some of the different items. But with Valentine's Day coming up I could not resist the incredible full dozen gourmet dipped Valentine's strawberries! I knew this was a treat my entire family could enjoy.

Ordering was a breeze as the site walked me through the process. I ordered this for myself and had it shipped to myself. But it was very clear on how to send it to someone else and include a gift message along with it. It allowed me to choose when I would like it delivered and I received an e-mail confirmation when it shipped. It arrived right on time and in perfect condition.

The strawberries were packaged in a beautiful box with a bow and a gift tag. They were packaged up with an ice pack so that they arrived in great condition. They looked gorgeous and tasted even better. The strawberries were large and juicey and the decorations were fun!

These would make a phenominal gift to send to someone....or a special treat to enjoy with your family. I would highly recommend checking out Red Envelope and all they have to offer. And click HERE to see some great coupons to make your shopping experience even better!

Friday, February 1, 2013

As you all know I am back in "new mom" mode! Even though this is my second baby I feel like I am starting all over. It's hard to remember everything that I had to learn the first time around, and I still feel like I am just as nervous and cautious with this little guy.

With that being said I am not taking any chances with this little guy's skin. He seems to have much more sensitive skin then my daughter and even has some baby acne. So when I was given the chance to check out Purex's new Crystals designed specifically for babies I had to learn more.

I am a huge Purex fan and use their laundry detergent all the time. And I LOVE the Purex Crystals because they make my laundry smell amazing. So when I read that Purex Crystals for Baby are hypoallergenic, dye free, and safe for use on all clothes, including children's sleepwear, I knew I would feel comfortable giving it a try.

The verdict... I'm a fan! My favorite part is the amazing scent. I mean, my baby has a fabulous natural smell... but it fades throughout the day. Probably from the spit up.... hehe. So having his clothes smell fresh and clean keeps the cuddling and snuggling going strong!

Purex Crystals for Baby are a hit in our house. I would recommend them to anyone looking to freshen their load while adding softness to those adorable tiny clothes!